Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-03-31
rHECITYSGREAT FUTURE
PRESIDENT HUId'~ HEpORT TO
THE BOARD OF TRADE.

the Improvement of the River and
HRrbor Necessity TO the MAiStenauCe
of SavannRh's Commercial Supremacy
The Present Condition xhd OntioOk
for Trade Interasts-Dcveiop Of
the Naval stores TrHdt-sAvanpsh es
Market.
The annual meeting of the Savannah
Board OF Trade was held yesterday after
noon at the Board of Trade rooms, Pres-
ldent Hull, in his annual report, oODgrat-
ulated the board upon the condition OF its
affairs. For over a year there has not
been a single case presented TO either OF
the committees on Complaints, Arbitra-
ton or Appeals
In commeptin; upon the report of the
Nj arine Committee, the Pre- 'ident urged
the members not to lose sight of the fact
that Savannah is a maritime city, and
that never in its history has it been so
persistent effort on the part
of individuals, trades organizations and
municipal authorities to maintain its
supremacy as at the present time. "With
the great improvement i'll the eonstruo-
ton and carrying capacity OF our rail-
roads and their consolidation in the
hands of a few whose interests lie in the
great trade centres OF the C ,.ntry, 1t be-
hooves those who have felt sec IRE of their
commerce, owing to their pcs ton on the
waterways, to improve and increase their
transportation facilities, lest the rail-
roads take from them what was formerly
compelled to come this way. 'lf ] were
asked what is most needed in Savannah"
the President added, IL would answer,
something to awaken public spirit in her
citizens: that would induce them TO act
together as community In matters that
affect the city's welfare, and thus pro-
duoe results that 1t is impossible for in.
dividuals to accomplish"
The President dwelt at considerable
length upon the river and harbOr improve
ment. There are now appropriated and
unexpeBded" he said, '$9S.00O, which
Will probably last until July /. TO com
plete the work and secure depth OF ~
feet OF water it is estimated would have
taken $1S0,000, and this amount was
asked for by the engineers department.
The lower house OF Congress passed
bill approprlating $45, 900, which was in
creased by the Senate to 100000, and with
this amount the bill went to our Presi-
dent, who killed it by failing to
sign or veto it. Surely this appears
to be a case where we may be excused
for praying to be delivered from our
friends Had the entire work been
completed the engineer in charge estI-
mates that $4,000 to $1,000 year would
have been all that would be required to
retain the twenty-five feet, while now it
will probably cost $4,000 a year. One
hundred thousand dollars was appropri-
ated by Congress for new surveys. OF
this amount $4,000 was allotted to Savan-
nah for survey to give a depth of twenty
eight feet, which the engineers think Is
easily Obtainable."
In alluding to the matter of the river
and harbor survey, the President recon-
mended that standing Committee on
Harbor improvements be appointed,
whose duty 1t shall be to cooperate with
other organizations aud the city authOri-
ties and TO see to 1t that Savannah's in
terests are fairly urged before Congress.
1--WE have great natural advantages" he
added, lover every near port. With a
depth of "a feet on the sea bar and a river
susceptible of any Improvement and a har-
Dor safe from storms, there ought to be no
limit to the city's future growth and pros
peTlty."
In touching upon matters of trade, the
President dwelt upon this fact: While
the volume of business has increased,
profits have decreased. Savannah is now
one of the cheapest markets in the South
for groceries, provisions, dry goods and
general merchandise. The rice planters
nave made fine crops, but the price has
ruled so low that there is little or no profit
in the business. The outlook for next
years crop is decrease In the area to be
planted, and therefore a reduction in the
wages paid, and it is hoped and expected
that the planters will get better prices.
At the present price rice ranks as one OF
thACheaDoat food DrOQuCts.
The naval stores trade, the President
remarked, shows most gratifying results.
A comparison OF the receipts from April
/, 1855, to April 1, 1886, with the receipts
from April /, 1885, to date shows as fol-
lows:
Barrels.
Spirits April l. ,s5 to April l. 'S6......, lO7, e6e
Rosn April /, 'se to April /. 's6........45o. l06
Spirits April !, $50, to .1l6, $50
Rosin April J. $50 TO date .6Sl, 205
This statement shows an increase in re-
ceipts this year over last of 81, oil barrels
Of spirits and 13l, 900 barrels OF rOsIn, Sa-
vannah is to-day in the proud position Of
being the largest naval stores market in
tine world.